JP2023071058A - Communication terminal and programmable display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a device execute a desire action in response to desire information desired by a user.SOLUTION: A communication terminal (2) comprises: a network communication part (27) that performs a communication between an accessed object and a device holding access information acquired by being accessed to the object; a setting part (203) that sets specific information for specifying the object and an action making the device execute in response to the access information by submission means used for performing a submission in the communication by a program for performing a transmission and a reception of a message; and an execution control part (204) that transmits the submission means to the device by the network communication part (27), and makes the device execute the action set by the submission means in response to the access information on the object specified by the specific information set by the submission means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a communication terminal and a programmable display capable of communicating therewith.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a device control apparatus that instructs a controlled device on the content of control of the controlled device caused by operating a control object using a message application. A control image used as a control object is prepared for performing a predetermined operation such as changing the temperature of an air conditioner, and is issued by a cloud server.

JP 2020-42561 A

2. Description of the Related Art In a factory or the like, a field operator monitors the operating states of various devices and operates the devices. When applying the above-described conventional technology to the operation of a device, it is conceivable to operate the device using a control image.

However, since control images are intended for operations predetermined by equipment manufacturers and system integrators, it is possible to monitor equipment desired by factory equipment/system managers and on-site operators (hereafter referred to as "users"). Therefore, it is not configured to acquire information about the status of various monitored objects in the device or to rewrite the information as desired. For this reason, there arises a problem that the device cannot execute an action such as reading information desired by the user or writing information as desired.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to cause a device to perform a desired action on information desired by a user.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention performs communication between an object to be accessed and a device holding access information acquired by accessing the object. a terminal-side communication unit;
User's operation of specifying information for specifying the target and an action to be executed by the device with respect to the access information to the sending means used for sending in communication by a program for sending and receiving messages. A setting part that is associated and set by
the transmission means is transmitted to the device by the terminal-side communication unit, and the transmission means is transmitted to the device with respect to the access information about the target specified by the specific information set in the transmission means; and an execution control unit that executes the action set in the

According to the above configuration, when accessing the access information specifying the target in the device, the communication terminal associates the specific information with the action by the user's operation, and sets them as the sending means in a program such as a chat application. When the communication terminal transmits the transmitting means to the device, the device executes the action set in the transmitting means with respect to the access information about the target specified by the specific information. Thereby, according to the specific information and the action that the user has set in the transmitting means, it is possible to cause the device to execute the action desired by the user with respect to the access information desired by the user.

A second aspect of the present invention is the communication terminal according to the first aspect, wherein a code converted from the specific information displayed in a predetermined display form on the device side display section provided in the device is read to read the specific information. a reading unit that restores the information to the specified information, and the setting unit may acquire the specific information restored by the reading unit.

According to the above configuration, in the communication terminal, the setting unit acquires the specific information restored by the reading unit, so the specific information can be easily acquired.

A programmable display device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a programmable display device incorporated in the device, comprising: a device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal of the second aspect; and the device-side display unit for displaying the code converted by the code generation unit.

According to the above configuration, the programmable display displays the code on the device-side display unit to the communication terminal, so the communication terminal can easily acquire the specific information.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the communication terminal according to the first aspect or the second aspect, further comprising: an output unit for outputting information; and an output control unit for controlling the output unit; When reading the access information is set to the transmitting means as the action, an output format in which the read access information is output by the output unit is further set in association with the transmitting means by a user's operation, and the terminal When the execution control unit causes the device to read the access information as the action, the side communication unit reads the access information in the output format set in the transmission means and transmits the access information from the device. Information may be received, and the output control unit may cause the output unit to output the access information received by the terminal-side communication unit according to the output format.

According to the above configuration, the communication terminal reads out the access information from the device and causes the output unit to output it in the set output format. As a result, the user can easily grasp desired access information in a desired form such as display or voice.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the communication terminal according to the fourth aspect, wherein the output unit is a terminal-side display unit that displays information, and the output format is at least part of a screen that can be displayed on the device. The output control unit may cause the terminal-side display unit to display the image.

According to the above configuration, the communication terminal can display an image read from the device on the terminal-side display section. This allows the user to easily visually recognize the state of the image displayed on the device as an image.

A programmable display device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a programmable display device incorporated in the device, and includes a device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal of the fifth aspect, and a device that displays the screen. a side display unit; and a conversion unit that converts an object included in the screen displayable on the device-side display unit into the image, and the device-side communication unit converts the image converted by the conversion unit. Send to the communication terminal.

According to the above configuration, the converting section of the programmable display converts the object on the screen displayed on the device-side display section into the image, and the device-side communication section transmits the image to the communication terminal. Thereby, the communication terminal can display the image transmitted from the device on the terminal side display section. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize an object of particular interest in the image as an image.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the communication terminal according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, further comprising a registration unit that registers a plurality of set transmission means, wherein the action is related to the access information. When one of the transmission means registered in the registration unit is selected, the execution control unit causes the terminal-side communication unit to notify the selected transmission means to the communication terminal. sending to a device to cause the device to send inquiry information for inquiring about conditions that the access information satisfies in order to perform the notification set in the transmission means; and notifying the device that the access information satisfies the condition.

According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of devices, the user can easily notify the selected device of the desired access information. Therefore, the user can easily receive notification of desired access information for the device to be monitored.

A programmable display device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a programmable display device incorporated in the device, and includes a device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal of the seventh aspect, a device-side control unit, wherein, when the device-side communication unit receives the transmission means, the device-side control unit causes the device-side communication unit to transmit the inquiry information about the transmission means to the communication terminal; setting the condition returned from the communication terminal; and notifying the communication terminal that the access information satisfies the condition.

According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of devices, the user can easily notify the selected device of the desired access information. Therefore, the user can easily receive notification of desired access information for the device to be monitored.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause a device to perform a desired action on information desired by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the structural example of the communication system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure centering on the control system of the said communication system. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation example of registration of a calling means in the communication terminal shown in FIG. 2; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of acquisition of information in the said communication terminal. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the programmable display shown in FIG. 2; It is a figure explaining the operation example for establishing the concrete connection state of the communication terminal and programmable display in the said communication system. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table of the apparatus produced by the said communication terminal. It is a figure explaining the operation example which specifies the concrete object of a communication terminal and a programmable display in the said communication system. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting operation|movement by the setting part of the said communication terminal. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the read-out operation|movement in the said communication terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table of the transmission means produced by the said communication terminal. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the write-in operation in the said communication terminal. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the notification operation|movement in the said communication terminal. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the communication system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. In the following description, the communication system 100 applied to a production line in a factory will be exemplified. However, the communication system 100 of the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is not limited in any way.

<Configuration of Communication System 100>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration centering on the control system of the communication system 100. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes, for example, a stirring device 51a, a printing device 51b, and a packing device 51c as devices of the production line. The communication system 100 also includes a plurality of, for example, three communication terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c (hereinafter collectively referred to as "2"), and a LAN (Local Area Network) 3 as a network. Further, the stirring device 51a, the printing device 51b, and the packing device 51c are each mounted with the programmable display device 1 (FIG. 2). Data communication between the device and the communication terminal 2 is substantially performed between the programmable display 1 mounted on the corresponding device and the communication terminal 2 .

Specifically, in the communication system 100, each of the three programmable displays 1 and each of the three communication terminals 2 are connected to the LAN 3 via LAN cables or wireless LAN routers (not shown). It is configured to allow two-way communication through intervening.

The programmable display 1 is an embedded device that implements a dedicated OS (Operating System). machine. The programmable display 1 is a dedicated computer with improved dust resistance, drip resistance, vibration resistance, etc., so as to adapt to harsh environments such as factories.

The communication terminal 2 is a terminal that monitors and operates the programmable display 1 and the device in which the programmable display 1 is incorporated from a remote location with respect to the programmable display 1, and performs a predetermined action on the programmable display 1. Let it run (details later). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication terminal 2 is preferably a portable device such as a smart phone or a tablet, but may be a stationary device such as a desktop personal computer.

<Hardware Configuration of Programmable Display 1>
As shown in FIG. 2, the programmable display device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a user memory 14, a data memory 15, and a display memory 16. , a touch panel 17 , a display panel 18 , an interface section 19 and a network communication section 20 .

The CPU 11 is a processing device that executes an HMI program for realizing the HMI function of the programmable display 1 . Specifically, when executing the HMI program, the CPU 11 receives data from the main memory 12, the user memory 14, the data memory 15, the display memory 16, the touch panel 17, etc., and calculates or processes the data. is output to the main memory 12, the user memory 14, the display panel 18, and the like.

The main memory 12 is a memory that constitutes the main storage device in the programmable display device 1, and is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The ROM 13 stores programs essential for the operation of the programmable display 1, such as BIOS (Basic Input Output System) executed when the programmable display 1 is activated or reset.

The user memory 14, as shown in FIG. 3, is a large-capacity storage device for storing data created by the user, for example, screen data for displaying an HMI screen, which will be described later. consists of FEPROM is a rewritable read-only flash memory, and plays the role of a hard disk drive in general personal computers. Since flash memory has no moving parts and is resistant to shocks, it operates stably even in a poor ambient environment. The screen data also includes attribute information of the HMI screen and attribute information of objects included in the HMI screen, which will be described later.

The data memory 15 is a memory that stores various data displayed on the programmable display 1 and the communication terminal 2 . Examples of data stored in the data memory 15 include alarm data, logging data (sampling data) and trend data obtained from the control device 4, and recipe data provided to the control device 4 obtained from a host system or the like. be done. The data memory 15 accumulates such various data as accumulation data. The stored data is data such as character data and numerical data, and is data in binary format or text format.

The display memory 16 is a VRAM (Video RAM) in which image data forming a screen displayed on the display panel 18 is expanded by a display control unit 102 (to be described later) in units of pixels. If the display memory 16 is not required to operate at high speed, an area replacing the display memory 16 may be provided in part of the main memory 12 .

The touch panel 17 is arranged on the display panel 18, receives a touch operation on the screen displayed on the display panel 18, and outputs a touch operation signal as an input signal.

The display panel 18 is a device-side display unit that displays information, and displays, for example, an HMI screen based on screen data stored in the user memory 14 and an identification code, which will be described later. As the display panel 18, a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display panel is used.

The interface unit 19 is a connection unit for communicably connecting to the control device 4 . The interface unit 19 is equipped with various interfaces such as a serial interface and a LAN (Local Area Network).

The network communication unit 20 is a device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal 2, and has a function of network communication performed via the LAN3.

The control device 4 and the input/output unit 5 are mounted on the stirring device 51a, the printing device 51b, and the packing device 51c, respectively. The control device 4 is a device such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a temperature controller, an inverter, etc., and has a function of communicating with the programmable display 1 . The control device 4 exchanges data with the input/output unit 5 . The input/output unit 5 has a functional unit corresponding to each device described above and realizing the function of the device. Specifically, for example, the printing device 51b is provided with, as functional units, a printing unit such as a conveyor for transporting the printing medium and an ink cartridge used for printing on the printing medium. Input devices such as sensors and switches, and output devices such as actuators, relays, electromagnetic valves, and indicators are used in the input/output unit 5 .

The control device 4 also includes a device memory (not shown). The device memory stores data (word data or bit data) indicating the state of the input/output unit 5 (output value from the input/output unit 5 or set value to the input/output unit 5) in an area specified by the device address. are doing. The information stored in this device memory includes access information. The access information is information acquired by the communication terminal 2 by accessing an object to be accessed by the communication terminal 2 . Also, the area specified by the device address is part of the device that holds the access information. Also, the device address is an example of specific information for specifying a target to be accessed by the communication terminal 2 .

In addition to the above description, the information stored in the device memory may be stored in the data memory 15 of the programmable display 1, for example. An address specifying an area where the above information is stored in the data memory 15 is also treated as a device address.

<Hardware Configuration of Communication Terminal 2>
The communication terminal 2 is a communication device on which a dedicated OS (Operating System) is installed, and has an environment for executing application programs as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, an auxiliary memory 24, and a display panel 25 (output unit ), a touch panel 26, a network communication unit 27, a reading unit 28, and a speaker 29 (output unit). The communication terminal 2 also includes a microphone for voice input (not shown).

The CPU 21 is a processing device that executes the system program of the communication terminal 2 . Specifically, when executing the system program, the CPU 21 receives data from the auxiliary memory 24, the touch panel 26, etc., and outputs the result of performing calculation or processing on the data to the auxiliary memory 24, the display panel 25, etc. do.

In addition to system programs, the ROM 23 stores programs essential for the operation of the communication terminal 2, such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) that is executed when the communication terminal 2 is started or reset.

The auxiliary memory 24 is provided to store various data, programs, etc. that the communication terminal 2 should hold. The auxiliary memory 24 is composed of flash memory, for example. The auxiliary memory 24 stores application programs such as a chat application. The chat application is an application program for exchanging messages with a communication partner, and is pre-downloaded and held in the auxiliary memory 24 based on the user's operation. The chat application is provided with a stamp or the like as a transmission means for transmitting to the communication partner, that is, the programmable display device 1 .

The display panel 25 is a terminal-side display unit that displays information, and is provided to display a screen for realizing basic operations of the communication terminal 2, a screen displayed as a result of executing an application program, and the like. there is As the display panel 25, a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel is used.

The touch panel 26 is an input device arranged on the display panel 25 and constitutes an operation reception unit that receives a user's operation. The touch panel 26 receives a touch operation on the screen displayed on the display panel 25 and outputs a touch operation signal as an input signal. An operation member such as a button may be used as the operation reception unit.

The network communication unit 27 is a terminal-side communication unit that communicates with the programmable display device 1, and has a function of network communication performed via the LAN3.

The reading unit 28 includes, for example, an imaging device, a scanning device, and the like, and reads information displayed on the display panel 18 of the programmable display device 1 . Specifically, the reading unit 28 reads the code converted from the specific information displayed on the display panel 18 and restores the specific information.

<System configuration of programmable display 1>
As shown in FIG. 3, the programmable display 1 includes an HMI control section (apparatus-side control section) 101 as a portion having a control function.

The HMI control unit 101 is a part having an HMI function realized by executing an HMI program by the CPU 11 .

Here, the HMI function is to generate an instruction to the control device 4 according to the user's input operation, acquire various data from the control device 4, display the acquired various data, and accept the input operation. It is a function including display of an HMI screen for performing. The HMI control unit 101 includes, as HMI functions, a display control unit 102 that controls display of an HMI image, an operation control unit 103 that controls each unit based on a user's operation input and changes in data held by the control device 4, have The HMI control unit 101 also has a remote display control unit 104 that controls the display of the communication terminal 2 .

The HMI screen is a screen (image) including various objects for displaying the state of the input/output unit 5 connected to the control device 4 and receiving operations on the touch panel 17 . Various component images such as lamp components, numerical display components, and switch components are prepared as objects provided on the HMI screen. The state of the input/output unit 5 is reflected as the display state of these component images. Screen data for displaying such an HMI screen is created by a user using a screen creation unit 61 (screen creation program) provided in a PC (personal computer) 6 and stored in the user memory 14. .

Information (screen data) of the HMI screen and at least one object displayed on the HMI screen are examples of access targets, and the HMI screen is also an access target. be. In addition, an object has, as attribute information, various types of information for realizing various functions of the object such as display and operation. The attribute information includes, for example, a device address and a variable for specifying an object from which access information is to be acquired as specifying information. A variable is a unique designation associated with a device address and is set by the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, attribute information such as device addresses and variables are held in the user memory 14 as information included in screen data. At least one of a device address and a variable is used between the programmable display device 1 and the control device 4 when specifying an object. For example, a screen number is assigned to each HMI screen as specific information.

The display control unit 102 performs control processing for displaying the HMI screen on the display panel 18 based on the screen data. In addition, the display control unit 102 reads information (address information) stored in the above-described area specified by the device address or variable specification information, and performs processing for reflecting the read information on the HMI screen. For example, on the HMI screen, the display control unit 102 performs processing such as turning on/off the above-described lamp component based on the above-described information, and causing the above-described numerical display component to display a numerical value based on the above-described information.

Further, the display control unit 102 performs processing for changing the state of the HMI screen according to the operation instruction. For example, the display control unit 102 changes the display state (color, shape, etc.) of the switch component by writing the information of the area specified by the specific information in response to the operation instruction for operating the switch component. process. Further, the display control unit 102 performs HMI screen switching processing based on a unique screen number (specific information) assigned to the HMI screen according to the user's operation.

Processing details for performing the above-described processing are set for each component. The display control unit 102 interprets the processing content set for the component and executes the processing.

The display control unit 102 also functions as a conversion unit that converts at least part of the HMI screen that can be displayed on the display panel 18 into an image such as a bitmap image. That is, the display control unit 102 converts the entire or part of the HMI screen into the image based on the pixel data developed in the display memory 16 . The display control unit 102 may convert the object into the image as part of the HMI screen.

Also, the programmable display 1 displays a code converted from the specific information in a predetermined display form. Specifically, the programmable display device 1 includes a code generator 191 that converts the specific information into an identification code (for example, QR code (registered trademark)). Also, the code generator 191 converts the IP address, which is unique information of the programmable display 1 incorporated in the device, into an identification code (for example, QR code (registered trademark)).

Then, the display control unit 102 causes the display panel 18 to display the identification code generated by the code generation unit 191 in response to an input operation by the user touching the touch panel 17 or an instruction from the communication terminal 2 .

The operation control unit 103 generates an operation instruction according to an input operation by a user's touch on the touch panel 17 . The operation instructions include start/stop instructions for the control device 4, change of control data given to the control device 4, screen switching, and the like. Further, the operation control unit 103 generates control instructions according to changes in the data of the control device 4 . This control instruction includes screen switching and the like.

The remote display control section 104 controls the network communication section 20 to transmit the image data held in the display memory 16 to the communication terminal 2 . More specifically, the remote display control unit 104 causes the network communication unit 20 to transmit information read by the display control unit 102 and an image such as the bitmap image described above.

<System configuration of communication terminal 2>
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 2 includes a control section 201 as a portion having a control function. The control unit 201 controls communication with the programmable display device 1 and controls screen display based on access information acquired from the programmable display device 1 . The control unit 201 includes a registration unit 202, a setting unit 203, an execution control unit 204, and an output control unit 205 in order to realize these control functions.

A registration unit 202 registers the device in a predetermined chat application. That is, the registration unit 202 registers the device to be communicated with the chat application when the communication terminal 2 uses the chat application to communicate with the programmable display device 1 and the device on which it is mounted. Specifically, the registration unit 202 writes a management table, which will be described later, including the IP address of the programmable display that identifies the device, to the auxiliary memory 24 as data generated by executing the chat application. Further, the registration unit 202 writes and registers the transmitting means set by the setting unit 203 in the auxiliary memory 24 .

The setting unit 203 provides specific information for specifying the target and an action to be executed by the device with respect to the access information that the user desires to access, for the transmission means used to make a call in the chat application. are associated and set by the user's operation. Also, the setting unit 203 acquires the specific information restored by the reading unit 28 . Specifically, the transmission means includes character input, speech, or the above-described stamp used in a chat application. Actions include a read operation, a write operation (setting operation), and a notification operation for access information.

In addition, when reading access information is set as an action in the transmission means, the setting unit 203 further sets the output format in which the read access information is output in association with the communication means by the user's operation. Output formats include display output from the display panel 25 and audio output from the speaker 29 . Display output includes a format in which access information is embedded in character information, a format in which images such as bitmap images are displayed, and a format in which hexadecimal numbers are displayed.

The execution control unit 204 transmits the transmission means registered in the auxiliary memory 24 to the communication target device by the network communication unit 27 according to the user's operation, and is specified by the specific information set in the transmission means. In response to the access information about the target, the device is caused to execute the action set in the transmitting means. That is, the execution control unit 204 uses the chat application to transmit the transmission means to the communication target device (programmable display device 1), thereby causing the device to execute the action set in the transmission means.

Here, the target specified by the above specified information will be specifically described. First, the specific information includes the screen number, screen ID, or screen name of the HMI screen, and the target specified by this specific information is the HMI screen. The access information acquired by accessing the identified HMI screen is, for example, the entire surface or part of the HMI screen. Further, the specific information includes the part number, the part ID, the part name, etc. of the part as the object, and the target specified by the specific information is the part.

The specific information includes an information name, a variable name, a device name, a device address, and the like, and the target specified by this specific information is a memory area in which numerical information is stored. The information name will be described in detail later.

Also, the actions that the execution control unit 204 causes the device to execute in response to the access information can be specified by reading an image that captures the entire HMI screen, reading an image that is a part of the HMI screen cut out, and the part name of the object. Includes reading out images of parts. Actions include reading, writing, or notification of numerical information held by objects that can be identified by the object's part name, etc. This includes reading, writing, or reporting numerical information such as specified in .

Further, the numerical information and the numerical value group are stored as attribute information in the user memory 14 of the programmable display 1, for example. Moreover, when there is one numerical value information, the numerical value information can be identified by specific information such as the part number, part ID, and part name. In addition, in the case of a numerical value group having two or more pieces of numerical information, the numerical value group is identified by specific information such as the information name, variable, device address, etc. in addition to the specific information such as the part number, part ID, and part name. can do.

In other words, in the case of a numerical display that displays only one numerical value, for example, by designating "part name: numerical display 1", the corresponding numerical information can be identified. In this case, designation of numerical information can be omitted. On the other hand, in the case of, for example, a temperature controller part that has a numerical value group that includes multiple numerical information, whether the PV value is specified or the SV value is specified with only "part name: temperature controller 1" It is not clear whether Therefore, in this case, " information name", and can be specified by specifying a combination of the part name and the information name. Furthermore, in this case, a combination of a component name and a variable name or a combination of a component name and a device address can also be specified.

The output control unit 205 functions as an output control unit that performs control processing of the display panel 25 as an output unit that outputs (displays) information as an image. is displayed on the display panel 25 . Further, the output control unit 205 reflects a touch operation performed on the screen displayed on the display panel 25 and detected by the touch panel 26 on the screen as necessary. In addition, the output control unit 205 controls the speaker 29 that outputs information as voice, and causes the speaker 29 to output the utterance information as voice.

<Example of operation of communication terminal 2>
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation example of registering means of transmission in the communication terminal 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of information acquisition operation in the communication terminal.

As shown in step S1 of FIG. 4, in the communication terminal 2, the control unit 201 determines whether the touch panel 26 has received a registration instruction for registering a device to be communicated with the chat application. If control unit 201 determines that touch panel 26 has not received a registration instruction (NO in step S1), control unit 201 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if the control unit 201 determines that the touch panel 26 has received the registration instruction (YES in step S1), the registration unit 202 registers the device to be communicated with the chat application, as will be described in detail later. (step S2).

Next, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the touch panel 26 has accepted the selection of the transmitting means for the communication target device (step S3). If the control unit 201 determines that the touch panel 26 has not accepted the selection of the transmitting means (NO in step S3), the control unit 201 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if the control unit 201 determines that the touch panel 26 has accepted the selection of the transmission means (YES in step S3), the control unit 201 determines whether or not the selection of the action for the communication target device has been accepted. (step S4). If the control unit 201 determines that the touch panel 26 has not accepted the selection of the action (NO in step S4), the control unit 201 enters a standby state. It should be noted that steps S3 and S4 are not limited to this order and may be interchanged.

On the other hand, if the control unit 201 determines that the touch panel 26 has accepted action selection (YES in step S4), the setting unit 203 sends specific information and Actions are set in association with each other (step S5). The specific information is acquired in advance by some method (details will be described later). As shown in steps S1 to S5 above, the communication terminal 2 performs the operation of registering the calling means.

Next, in the communication terminal 2, the information acquisition operation shown in FIG. 5 is performed. Further, in the communication terminal 2, once the transmission means registration operation shown in FIG. 4 is performed, information can be obtained many times by performing the acquisition operation described above. Specifically, as shown in step S6 of FIG. 5, the control unit 201 causes the network communication unit 27 to transmit the transmitting means to the communication target device (the programmable display device 1).

Subsequently, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the network communication unit 27 has received a reply to the action set in the transmitting means from the communication target device (programmable display device 1) (step S7). If control unit 201 determines that network communication unit 27 has not received a reply (NO in step S7), control unit 201 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if the control unit 201 determines that the network communication unit 27 has received the reply (YES in step S7), the output control unit 205 outputs and displays the access information included in the received reply ( step S8).

Specifically, when display output is set as the output format in the transmitting means, the output control unit 205 causes the display panel 25 to display the access information. That is, in this case, the transmitting means transmitted in step S6 is associated with the access information reading operation as an action, and the communication terminal 2 causes the display panel 25 to display the access information obtained from the communication target device. . This allows the user to grasp the access information desired by the user (details will be described later). In addition, when the output format of the transmission means is set to be voice output, the output control unit 205 causes the speaker 29 to output the access information by voice.

Next, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a response is required for the received reply (step S9). This response is, for example, a response from the user to inquiry information inquiring about a condition that the access information satisfies in order to perform notification set in the transmission means, for example, setting values. If the control unit 201 determines that a response is not required for the received reply (NO in step S9), the process ends.

On the other hand, if the control unit 201 determines that a response is required for the received reply (YES in step S9), the control unit 201 causes the output control unit 205 to prompt the user to input a response. The display panel 25 is caused to display. As a result, for example, the display panel 25 displays a message prompting the user to enter the setting value, which is the condition, as inquiry information. Thereafter, when acquiring a response from the user, the control unit 201 causes the network communication unit 27 to transmit the acquired response to the communication target device (step S10). For example, as a response from the user, a set value that is the above condition is transmitted.

In other words, in this case, the transmission means transmitted in step S6 is associated with the access information writing operation or notification operation as an action, and the communication terminal 2 receives the inquiry from the reply received from the communication target device. The message corresponding to the information or the like is displayed on the display panel 25, a response is obtained from the user, and the operation of step S10 is performed. Thus, the response can be instructed to the device to be communicated, and the device to be communicated can execute an action based on the instructed response (details will be described later).

<Example of operation of programmable display 1>
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the programmable display 1 shown in FIG.

In the programmable display device 1, the HMI control unit 101 enters a standby state if the touch panel 17 has not received an identification code display instruction.

On the other hand, when the touch panel 17 receives the display instruction, the HMI control unit 101 causes the code generation unit 191 to generate an identification code, and causes the display control unit 102 to display the identification code on the display panel 18. .

In addition, as will be described in detail later, this identification code is used when establishing a connection state between the communication terminal 2 and the device (programmable display 1) shown in FIG. , and when the user designates desired access information. When the identification code is not used to establish the connection state and specify the access state, the HMI control unit 101 does not cause the code generation unit 191 to generate the identification code.

As shown in step S11 of FIG. 6, the HMI control unit 101 determines whether or not the network communication unit 20 has received the transmission means from the communication terminal 2. When the HMI control unit 101 determines that the network communication unit 20 has not received the transmission means (NO in step S11), the HMI control unit 101 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if the HMI control unit 101 determines that the network communication unit 20 has received the transmission means (YES in step S11), the HMI control unit 101 determines whether the action set in the transmission means is the read operation. It is determined whether or not (step S12). If the HMI control unit 101 determines that the action is not the read operation (NO in step S12), the HMI control unit 101 determines whether or not the action needs to transmit a response request to the communication terminal 2. (Step S13).

Subsequently, when HMI control unit 101 determines that it is necessary to transmit a response request (YES in step S13), HMI control unit 101 transmits a response request to communication terminal 2 through network communication unit 20. (step S14).

Next, the HMI control unit 101 determines whether or not the network communication unit 20 has received a response to the response request from the communication terminal 2 (step S15). When HMI control unit 101 determines that network communication unit 20 has not received a response (NO in step S15), HMI control unit 101 enters a standby state.

On the other hand, if HMI control unit 101 determines that network communication unit 20 has received a response (YES in step S15), HMI control unit 101 causes HMI control unit 101 to operate according to the received response. Each part is made to execute (step S16). That is, when a write operation or notification operation for access information is set as an action from the communication terminal 2, the HMI control unit 101 performs HMI control of the write operation or the notification operation using the data included in the received response. Each part of the part 101 is made to perform. When the notification operation is set, the HMI control unit 101 causes each unit of the HMI control unit 101 to perform the notification operation when the access information satisfies the above-described conditions (for example, set values).

Further, if the HMI control unit 101 determines that the action of the transmitting means received in step S11 is the read operation (YES in step S12), the HMI control unit 101, in step S18, determines the data acquired by the read operation. The network communication unit 20 transmits the access information to the communication terminal 2 .

Further, if the HMI control unit 101 determines in step S13 that it is not necessary to transmit a response request to the communication terminal 2 (NO in step S13), the HMI control unit 101 receives the transmission means received in step S13. perform the action of That is, when the HMI control unit 101 receives the data for the write operation or the notification operation for the access information as the action from the communication terminal 2, the received data is used to perform the write operation or the notification operation.

<Example of registration operation of device (programmable display 1) in communication terminal 2>
Next, an example of the registration operation shown in steps S1, S2, S11 and S12 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 as well. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation example for establishing a concrete connection state between the communication terminal 2 and the programmable display 1 in the communication system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table created in the communication terminal 2. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, when the operations of steps S11 and S12 are executed, the programmable display 1 displays the identification code C1 of the device when the user performs a predetermined operation. Specifically, the code generation unit 191 creates an identification code C1 including the IP address of the programmable display 1 mounted on the stirring device 51a, the printing device 51b, or the packing device 51c, and the display control unit 102 displays The panel 18 is caused to display the identification code C1.

Thereafter, in the communication terminal 2, when the user reads the identification code C1 through the reading unit 28 so that the identification code C1 is displayed on the display panel 25, the reading unit 28 obtains the IP address restored from the identification code. do. The communication terminal 2 establishes a connection state with the programmable display 1 based on the IP address, and can communicate with each other. Further, the registration unit 202 registers the communication target device based on the obtained IP address. As a result, in the communication terminal 2, the communication target device is registered, and the output control unit 205 causes the display panel 25 to display the icon 51aA of the communication target device. The device 51a, the printing device 51b, and the packing device 51c are displayed on the display panel 25, for example.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in the communication terminal 2, a management table of registered devices capable of communication is created and held in the auxiliary memory 24. FIG. In this management table, as shown in FIG. 8, device numbers, device names, icon images, and IP addresses (of the corresponding programmable displays 1) are managed.

In addition, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, since the registration operation is performed using the identification code C1, the user can search for the device on the LAN 3 or input the separately obtained IP address, ID number, or device name. It is possible to register a device that communicates with the communication terminal 2 without performing the above steps. In other words, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the complexity of input operations and human errors, and to set devices that can easily communicate with the communication terminal 2 .

<Example of setting operation for calling means in communication terminal 2>
Next, referring also to FIGS. 9 to 12, the setting operation examples for the transmitting means shown in steps S3 to S5 and S11 to S16 will be specifically described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of designating a concrete object between the communication terminal 2 and the programmable display 1 in the communication system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of setting operation by the setting section 203 of the communication terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a specific example of the read operation in the communication terminal 2. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a management table of transmitting means created in the communication terminal 2. As shown in FIG.

In the programmable display device 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that an HMI screen including an object 18b (numerical display component) indicating production results is displayed on the display panel 18. FIG. In this case, for example, when the touch panel 17 detects that the user's finger L11 has performed a predetermined operation such as a long press on the object 18b, the code generation unit 191 includes the specific information of the object 18b. The identification code C2 is created, and the display control unit 102 causes the display panel 18 to display the identification code C2.

Next, in the communication terminal 2, when the user reads the identification code C2 through the reading unit 28 so that the identification code C2 is displayed on the display panel 25, the reading unit 28 reads the identification code C2 and the specific information. transform into the information it contains. The setting unit 203 determines that the information acquired from the reading unit 28 is the specific information of the object 18b.

After that, in the communication terminal 2, the output control unit 205 receives the instruction from the setting unit 203 and causes the display panel 25 to display the icon 51bA of the printing device 51b, which is the communication target device. In addition, as illustrated in (1) to (3) of FIG. 10, the communication terminal 2 displays a display for selecting character input, speech, or a stamp as the transmitting means.

Next, when the touch panel 26 detects the selection of the transmitting means, the output control unit 205 displays the display 25A1 including the keyboard and the input display field when the character input is selected as the transmitting means, and the character string to be set is displayed. Prompt for input. When speech is selected as the transmission method, the output control unit 205 displays a message (not shown) prompting the user to speak. When the user inputs voice from the microphone in response to the message, the setting unit 203 converts the voice into text. The output control unit 205 displays the converted character string as a display 25A2.

Further, when the stamp is selected as the transmitting means, the output control unit 205 displays a display 25A3 for selecting one from a plurality of stamps prepared in advance. A display 25A3 shown in FIG. 10 shows a state in which one stamp is selected by the user. The setting unit 203 temporarily stores the transmitting means selected as described above in the auxiliary memory 24 (or the main memory 22).

Then, when the touch panel 26 detects the selection of, for example, the reading operation, the setting unit 203 sends specific information for specifying the object 18b for displaying the production performance information as the access information to the selected transmitting means. , the read operation as an action, and the output format are set in association with each other. As the specific information, for example, a device address in the device memory storing information on production results is used. After that, in the communication terminal 2, the network communication section 27 transmits the set transmitting means to the programmable display device 1 of the printing device 51b.

Next, in the programmable display device 1 of the printing device 51b, the HMI control unit 101 executes the operation of step S14, and recognizes that the received action set in the transmitting means is the operation of reading the information on the production results. . As a result, the HMI control unit 101 reads the information on the actual production based on the specific information (device address) associated with the transmitting means. Then, in the programmable display device 1 of the printing device 51b, the HMI control unit 101 transmits the information on the actual production read by the network communication unit 20 to the communication terminal 2. FIG.

After that, when the communication terminal 2 receives the production performance information from the programmable display device 1 of the printing device 51b, as shown in FIG. to notify you. Specifically, as shown in (1) to (4) of FIG. By any one of them, the read production performance information is output and conveyed to the user. As shown in FIG. 11, when the image is displayed as the output form, the display panel 25 of the communication terminal 2 receives from the programmable display 1 corresponding to the specific information for specifying the object 18b. The image of the object 18b is displayed.

In the communication terminal 2, when the setting unit 203 sets the transmitting means, a management table for managing the transmitting means is created and held in the auxiliary memory 24 for each device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the management table of the sending means for the printing device 51b includes stamp number, stamp name, stamp image, device address, data type, attached information 1, and attached information 2. A management table for management is created.

The attached information 1 includes example sentences for displaying the read access information. The attached information 2 includes information such as a numerical conversion formula for percentage display, information on whether or not a set value is included as a notification condition when notification is performed in the form of an alarm, and the number of digits of the set value. ing. For example, when the address information is a numerical value, the alarm is an action to be monitored through the object and notifies that the numerical value reflected in the object has reached an abnormal range.

<Example of writing operation and example of notification operation in communication terminal 2>
Next, an example of the write operation and an example of the notification operation of the communication terminal 2 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 as well. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the write operation in the communication terminal 2, and FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the notification operation in the communication terminal 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, on the display panel 25 of the communication terminal 2, a stamp for setting (writing) as a transmission means, a return of access information from the printing device 51b (communication target device), and the access information A history of writing operations (actions) to be executed by the printing device 51b for information is displayed.

That is, the display panel 25 displays a stamp image in which specific information (device address) for specifying an object for acquiring the conveyor speed and the write operation are associated with each other. In addition, the display panel 25 displays information indicating a response request from the programmable display 1 to the write operation, and setting values input by the user in response thereto.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the display panel 25 of the communication terminal 2 displays a stamp for notification as a transmission means, a reply of access information from the printing device 51b (device to be communicated), and the access information. , and the history of the condition for causing the printing device 51b to execute the notification is displayed.

That is, the display panel 25 displays a stamp image that associates specific information (device address) for specifying an object for obtaining the remaining amount of ink with the notification operation. The display panel 25 also displays an information display indicating a response request from the programmable display device 1 to the notification operation, and the user's setting value therefor.

As described above, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, when the communication terminal 2 performs an action desired by the user with respect to the device (programmable display device 1), the specific information and the action are specified by the user's operation. Associate it and set it as the transmission method in the chat application. Furthermore, the communication terminal 2 transmits the transmission means to the device via the network communication unit (terminal side communication unit) 27, and transmits to the device the access information about the target specified by the specific information. Executes the action set in the means. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to configure the communication terminal 2 that allows the user to freely execute an action desired by the user with respect to the access information according to the user's selection.

Further, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, the communication terminal 2 transmits the transmission means to the device (programmable display device 1), so that the device can execute the action set in the transmission means. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data communication when the communication terminal 2 remotely controls the device. As a result, in this embodiment, each communication load in the communication terminal 2 and the programmable display 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication system 100 can be constructed using the LAN 3 with a slow communication speed, and the cost of the communication system 100 can be easily reduced.

Further, in the communication terminal 2 of the present embodiment, the reading unit 28 reads the identification code converted from the specific information displayed on the display panel 18 of the programmable display 1 and restores the specific information. Moreover, in the communication terminal 2 of the present embodiment, the setting unit 203 acquires the specific information restored by the reading unit 28 . This makes it possible to easily acquire the specific information.

In addition, in the programmable display device 1 of the present embodiment, the code generator 191 converts the specific information into an identification code and causes the display panel 18 to display it. Thereby, the communication terminal 2 can easily acquire the specific information.

Furthermore, in the programmable display device 1 of the present embodiment, the code generation unit 191 generates access information such as the object included in the HMI screen and the HMI screen itself without changing the screen data of the existing HMI screen. Converts specific information for identifying an object into an identification code. Thereby, in this embodiment, a remote communication system with the communication terminal 2 can be constructed without changing the screen data of the existing HMI screen.

[Embodiment 2]
Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be specifically described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those of the members described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that a server 70 is provided in the LAN3.

That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the server 70 is installed on LAN3 in the communication system 100 of this embodiment. The server 70 creates and holds the management table shown in FIG. 8 and the management table shown in FIG. 12, for example, for each of the communication terminals 2a to 2c.

With the above configuration, the communication system 100 of the second embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment. In addition, in the communication system 100 of the second embodiment, since the information for communicating between the plurality of communication terminals 2 and the plurality of devices (programmable display device 1) is centrally managed, the convenience of the communication system 100 can be easily improved. can be improved to In addition, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, the server 70 manages transmission means and a management table (device registration information) managed in the auxiliary memory 24 of the communication terminal 2 in the communication system 100 of the first embodiment. do.

[Example of realization by software]
The HMI control unit 101 of the programmable display 1 and the control unit 201 of the communication terminal 2 are implemented by programs using the CPUs 11 and 21, respectively. The object of the present invention is achieved by the programmable display 1 and the communication terminal 2 having the CPUs 11 and 21 read the program from the recording medium storing the program and execute the program. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Also, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 programmable display 2 communication terminal 18 display panel (apparatus side display unit)
20 network communication unit (equipment side communication unit)
25 Display panel (output unit, terminal side display unit)
27 network communication unit (terminal side communication unit)
28 reading unit 29 speaker (output unit)
101 HMI control unit (equipment side control unit)
102 Display control unit (conversion unit)
191 Code generation unit 201 Control unit 202 Registration unit 203 Setting unit 204 Execution control unit 205 Output control unit 51a Stirring device 51b Printing device 51c Packing device

Claims (8)

a terminal-side communication unit that performs communication between an object to be accessed and a device that holds access information obtained by accessing the object;
User's operation of specifying information for specifying the target and an action to be executed by the device with respect to the access information to the sending means used for sending in communication by a program for sending and receiving messages. A setting part that is associated and set by
the transmission means is transmitted to the device by the terminal-side communication unit, and the transmission means is transmitted to the device with respect to the access information about the target specified by the specific information set in the transmission means; and an execution control unit for executing the action set in the communication terminal. further comprising a reading unit that reads a code converted from the specific information displayed in a predetermined display format on the device-side display unit of the device and restores the code to the specific information;
The setting unit
2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said specific information restored by said reading unit is obtained. A programmable display incorporated into the device, comprising:
A device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal according to claim 2;
a code generator that converts the specific information into the code;
and the device-side display section for displaying the code converted by the code generation section. an output unit that outputs information;
and an output control unit that controls the output unit,
When the transmission means is set to read the access information as the action, the setting section further associates an output format in which the read access information is output by the output section with the transmission means by a user's operation. Set,
The terminal side communication unit
receiving the access information read in the output format set in the transmitting means and transmitted from the device by the execution control unit causing the device to read the access information as the action;
The output control unit is
3. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the access information received by the terminal-side communication section is output to the output section according to the output format. The output unit is a terminal-side display unit that displays information,
the output format is an image based at least in part on a screen displayable on the device;
5. The communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein the output control section causes the terminal side display section to display the image. A programmable display incorporated into the device, comprising:
A device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal according to claim 5;
a device-side display unit that displays the screen;
a conversion unit that converts an object included in the screen that can be displayed on the device-side display unit into the image;
The programmable display device, wherein the device-side communication unit transmits the image converted by the conversion unit to the communication terminal. further comprising a registration unit for registering a plurality of set transmission means,
the action is notification of the access information to the communication terminal;
The execution control unit
When one of the transmission means registered in the registration unit is selected, the terminal-side communication unit transmits the selected transmission means to the device and sets the transmission means to the transmission means in the device. transmitting inquiry information for inquiring about a condition that the access information satisfies in order to perform the notification that has been received; setting the condition that has been answered by the device in response to the inquiry information; 5. The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by: notifying the device that the condition is satisfied; A programmable display incorporated into the device, comprising:
A device-side communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal according to claim 7;
and a device-side control unit,
The device-side control unit
causing the device-side communication unit to transmit the inquiry information about the transmission means to the communication terminal when the device-side communication unit receives the transmission means; and notifying the communication terminal that the access information satisfies the condition.

Images